The Mental Health Benefits of Gardening for Kids

Spending time outdoors in nature can significantly boost mental health, especially for children. Gardening offers a unique opportunity to engage all the senses, providing an escape from the demands of school, social pressures, and technology.

Gardening requires focus and patience, helping children stay present in the moment, and it’s a great way to encourage quality family time and teamwork by sharing in gardening activities together, such as digging in the soil, planting seeds, or watering plants, which are all very calming and fun!

Tending a garden keeps kids active and outdoors where they can breathe in the fresh air and soak up some vitamin D. Watching their plants grow from tiny seeds into thriving plants also gives children a sense of accomplishment and responsibility.

Create a Mini Herb Garden

Building a herb garden is great way to encourage a love for gardening and an appreciation for plants and nature. Start by choosing a sunny spot and selecting easy-to-grow herbs like basil, mint, or chives, which are ideal for young gardeners.  

Plant Sunflower Seeds

Sunflowers are fast-growing and visually impressive, making them perfect for sparking a child’s sense of wonder. Watering the seeds becomes an exciting daily task, and kids will eagerly watch as the first green shoots appear and gradually grow into towering plants. As the flowers bloom, you can teach about pollination and even harvest seeds for snacks or future planting.

Build a Bug Hotel

Building a bug hotel with kids is a creative and eco-friendly activity that nurtures an appreciation for wildlife. Let them gather natural and recycled materials such as wood, bamboo and pinecones to create a cosy shelter for beneficial insects like ladybugs, bees, and beetles. Start by assembling a sturdy frame, perhaps an old wooden crate, and let the kids help fill it with layers of materials that create hiding spots and nesting spaces. Place the bug hotel in a quiet, sheltered area of your garden, the kids will love watching their insect guests move in and make themselves at home.

Grow Veggies Together

Growing vegetables with kids is a rewarding way to teach them about healthy eating, sustainability, and patience. Choose easy-to-grow veggies like cherry tomatoes, carrots, or lettuce, and let the kids help with planting seeds, watering, and weeding. Explain how plants need sunlight, water, and care to thrive. Watching the tiny seeds sprout and develop into edible vegetables is exciting and gives kids a sense of accomplishment, they will love to pick their own homegrown produce even more!

Why not try growing your own Strawberries? We have handy kits, with everything you need to get started, and easy to follow instructions.

Tools and Supplies to Make Gardening Fun

Gardening tools for kids are designed to be safe, lightweight, and easy to use, allowing children to explore the joys of gardening while learning valuable skills.

We stock smaller tools designed with young gardeners in mind, including gloves in bright colours, trowels, spades, rakes and watering cans.